Sokari Soberekon, a veteran sports man and an intellectual elder statesman of Niger Delta, penultimate week was described as a role model as he celebrated his 70th birthday in existence with his families, friends, contemporaries and associates on the 29th of September, 2012 at his church, Jesus City, Sokari Gym, Marine Base, Port Harcourt.
First to speak during the occasion was his eldest son, Soinyo Soberekon, who described his father as a role model that needed to be emulated by all youths. According to him, his dad is a very disciplined and practical figure who has much courage to fight for the less privileged as he does not like oppression from the mighty and strong in the society or the financially wise. Noting that the most interesting part of his dad is his love for God’s work though, the 70 years old man was the man that fought for the agitation oil derivation for Niger Delta States. Sokari Soberekon was also a proud Nigerian, seasoned wrestler, judoka, karateka, weightlifter and boxer who represented Rivers State and Nigeria in the 80s.
When The Newswriter News desk asked junior Soberekon should he be presented with another chance to choose a father will he still choose Sokari Soberekon as his father, he responded by saying he will choose him hundred times. The Tima Riv Bravo Dragon officer said though he could not be compared with his dad in terms of his achievement and lifestyle, he cherished that aspect of serving God from his father.
In her assessment about her dad, first daughter of Sokari Soberekon Aka “SB” Mrs. Ibiye M. George, described Sokari Soberekon, her dad as a man who influences positively anywhere he goes. He is upright in his dealing with others, disciplined and principled, above all God fearing and loves the service of God. She sees her father like a lion and believes also his line of life in serving God.
According to her, if she has the chance of choosing a father, she would still choose Sokari Soberekon as her dad twenty million times.
Lydia Soberekon, a level 100 undergraduate of Uniport in the thearter department who happened to be co-celebrant with her dad, Sokari Soberekon put up a good show of fighting her dad as a special way of marking their birthday, revealed that her dad Sokari Soberekon is a special dad that could not be compared with any stressing that he is loving, caring, religious, disciplined and principled. Lydia who happened to be Sokari Soberekon last daughter, took after her father part of being a strong man and is optimistic that she will be famous like her father.
Last to speak with The Newswriter news desk was the wife of Sokari Soberekon, Pastor Mrs. Agnes Sokari Soberkon, who disclosed that she is excited marrying “this great man. She described her husband as a man who fights for the less privileged ones, loving, caring and accommodating, a father to many.
As Soberekon was honoured by Eastern Niger Delta Advanced Theological Seminary (TENDATS) with an honorary doctorate degree of Humanities, PHD of University (GULGAL, …………) his family regretted the Rivers State government and the entire Niger Delta States for failing to recognize the effort of Rev. Dr. Sokari Soberekon after he had succeeded in agitating for the oil derivation that they are enjoying.
According to his wife, like the biblical days of Jeremiah one day God will remember Sokari Soberekon. Appealing to the government, the children said they are hoping on God to visit their father, that one day the Rivers State government would remember Sokari Soberekon, the strongman of Rivers State. ###
Allanso Jonathan Allanso
